Citizens Advice coughs to laptop loss

60,000 records go astray

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A laptop containing client information has been stolen from the car of an employee of Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland.

Up to 60,000 client records are held on the computer, which was stolen in the early hours of 5 December 2007. According to Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland, the data stored relates to people from the Belfast area who have sought advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau office within the city.

The amount of information held varies from case to case, but most records would include name, address, date of birth, and national insurance number. In a number of cases, some financial information is also recorded, including the client's bank account number.

In a statement issued on 7 December 2007, the chief executive of Citizens Advice in Northern Ireland, Derek Alcorn, said the organisation had informed the police and the information commissioner of the situation and would be writing to all the individuals concerned.

He said the data was protected by three levels of security, including a high level of encryption.

"It is highly unlikely that a criminal will be able to access the data, but people who have used Citizens Advice in the Belfast area should check for anything unusual," explained Alcorn. "We believe the information, even if it were accessed, would not on its own allow access to a bank account because banks require other security information and passwords."

He added: "It is a fundamental principle of Citizens Advice that people are able to deal with us in confidence. The theft of this laptop is highly regrettable, but given that the potential always exists for the theft of data, we have always sought to ensure that information is secured as strongly as possible through modern encryption systems."

In addition to writing to all those affected and providing appropriate advice, an 0800 helpline has been established to provide immediate advice to any individual. The organisation has also said it will commission an external, high level and independent review of its policies, procedures, and data protection.